Candidate selector Leavenworth County sheriff

Welcome to our candidate selector for Leavenworth County sheriff. It's a fun and educational tool that can help you decide which candidate(s) you agree with the most.

Here's how it works. Below, we've listed a set of issues and the candidates' positions on these issues. Check the box next to a candidate's response if you agree with it. After you're done, we'll tell you which candidate(s) you agreed with the most.

Please note that this is meant to be fun and educational - but shouldn't necessarily be used as the de facto way of making such an important decision. We encourage you to learn as much as you can about each candidate.

Why are you running for sheriff?

While working through the ranks of the sheriff's office, my goal was to become sheriff someday. I believe I have provided the citizens of this county the best law enforcement possible with the current available resources.
I feel that my knowledge and experience as sheriff of this county make me the most qualified to give the citizens the protection and service they want and deserve. I want to continue helping to make Leavenworth County a safe place to live, not only for my family, but for all residents.

Being sheriff of Leavenworth is a goal I have had for some time. When I started in law enforcement in 1970, my goal was to progress up the ranks to lieutenant. When I achieved that goal, in 1981 I set another goal to be a chief of police. Upon retirement from the Leavenworth Police Department in 2002, I accepted the job of chief of the civilian police at Fort Leavenworth. Achieving that goal, I began thinking about running for sheriff. In April 2008, I resigned my position at Fort Leavenworth to run as the Republican candidate for Leavenworth County sheriff.

What experience do you have in law enforcement?

I started my law enforcement career in 1968. I have worked in every phase of operations in the sheriff's office, including patrol, dispatch, jail, civil process, investigations, drug enforcement and administration. During the past 34 years, I have been a supervisor and an administrator.
In the capacity of administrator, my duties have included overseeing personnel, managing department operations, preparing multimillion dollar budgets for both the sheriff's office and jail, and monitoring jail operations.

I retired as a lieutenant after 32 years with Leavenworth police. During his time I supervised the Detective Division, Drug Unit, Training Division and Community Services Division. After retirement, I served as chief of police for six years, supervising 24 police officers. Degrees: Regional Center for Criminal Justice, Basic Law Enforcement, Kansas City, Mo., Police Department; Hazardous Devices School, Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Ala,; National Training Center for Polygraph Science, New York City; Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, 166th Session, Quantico, Va.; Law Enforcement Executive Development Course, Lawrence; Administration of Criminal Justice, Kansas City Kansas Community College; and taken state and federal law enforcement classes.

Areas of the county that are less populated still require law enforcement services. How do you propose to ensure these areas are properly patrolled and protected?

Being a county resident, I know response time is important to all citizens. As an administrator, we have to look at calls for service, where crimes are occurring and time of the day. Patrol areas have to be continually monitored and available assets assigned accordingly. There are many ways to ensure coverage: one example might be to stagger work shifts. By doing so, more officers would be available during peak times. Working with all department employees to come up with solutions is important. I believe deputies, if allowed to address this issue, would come up with a workable solution.

I have established additional patrol districts based on crime trends. I have increased the number of officers on patrol. In addition, I have assigned additional officers to the detective division to assist in follow-up investigations.
When I took office I established the position of public information officer, who would serve as a liaison between the sheriff's office and the media, as well as the citizens.
All of these measures have helped to provide more protection for outlying areas. I will continue to explore other avenues, as needed, to meet the needs of all county residents.

What differentiates you from your opponent?

Unlike my opponent, who was a Leavenworth police officer, I have spent nearly my entire career in the sheriff's office. I currently serve as sheriff and manage more than 100 employees.
Unlike my opponent, I have experience in managing a county jail and preparing a multimillion dollar budget.
I am a strong, dedicated leader, who works hard for the citizens of this county.

I won't micromanage them to where deputies became frustrated, afraid to take initiative. This management indicates lack of trust in subordinate officers. Failure to empower subordinates stifles creativity, job knowledge and professional development, which in turn causes seasoned officers to seek employment with other agencies. I'll be an advocate, not an adversary, of the people under my command. Deputies who work hard and do a good job should be commended and rewarded, even if they might disagree with policies of leadership. Good leaders learn from people who hold different viewpoints, and surround themselves with people who'll challenge them to excellence, not just maintain the status quo.